Asking the officials to organize programs throughout the year for the development of tourism in AP, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu suggested them to prepare a tourism festival calendar in a review held at the Secretariat on the tourism sector. He said that programs should be organized in tourist places as per the importance of the respective areas.
He said that there is a lot of potential for the development of the tourism sector and directed to achieve 20 percent growth. He said that if as many projects that are favorable to tourism are created through the establishment of consultancies, prominent organizations will come forward to undertake them. He said that a study should be done about night safari in AP on the lines of Singapore.
CM Chandrababu suggested that special steps should be taken to identify coastal areas and develop them. He said that even though Andhra Pradesh is at the top in aqua culture, there are no projects that reflect it. He said that dolphin shows should be organized. He suggested that officials should take steps to ensure that Gandikota is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Chief Minister has directed the officials to complete the work undertaken in Annavaram and Simhachalam under the Prasad scheme as soon as possible. He suggested that 150 Araku coffee stalls should be set up on the lines of experience centers. He said that plans should be made for the development of islands in AP.
Officials informed the CM that experience centers are being set up in a total of 14 places including Kondapalli, Mangalagiri, Kuchipudi, Kadiyam, Chirala, Bapatla and Araku. Chandrababu suggested that natural farming and other sectors should be included in these centers.
Chandrababu said that temple tourism should be promoted in 20 major temples and health tourism in Visakhapatnam and Amaravati. He said that Amaravati should be made a creative city hub. Officials informed the Chief Minister that tent cities with 180 tents are being set up in six areas including Araku and Gandikota, and sea cruise and river cruise services are being introduced.
Berm Park will be made available in Rajahmundry and Vijayawada, and houseboats will be made available in Suryalanka, they explained. Officials stated that 8 mega events, 11 national and 10 international festivals are being organized for the development of the tourism sector.
Officials informed CM Chandrababu that 10 areas have been identified for the establishment of new ropeways. They stated that several organizations are interested in undertaking a total of 69 projects related to hotels and resorts with a capacity of 8073 rooms with an investment of Rs. 12,565 crore.
More than 500 homestays have been identified in rural and urban areas with the aim of livelihood for the locals, preservation of culture, and sustainable tourism development, they said. Homestays are being set up in the tribal areas of Vanthamur, Magada, Kuridi, and Tajangi. Chandrababu advised officials to formulate a home stay policy for this purpose.
